Everyday Systems: everydaysystems: message 28 of 74

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hi reinhard

I think I have the digital answer to the writing while walking problem - 
and
face it, stopping to write wouldn't fit urbanr, neither would the legibility
of writing while walking.

I have this brilliant job that requires me to know about all the latest
gizmos from the perspective of education, particularly vocational education
and training, which requires the most imaginative uses.

one is using pdas (handheld devices) [and I think you may know all this 
and
are a computer expert but I will persevere] for on the job learning and 
on
the job assessment.

combine the pda with voice recognition software (and I think dragon now
comes with the standard msoffice suite) and you have the answer.

I am not sure how you feel about using 'hi-tech' for your systems. one 
of
the things I like particularly about nos, ur, and sp is that they simplify,
no essentialise (new word), what commercial and materialistic interests 
have
complicated and corrupted to their ends, ends that essentially socially
destructive.

however, when there is a compelling case, I think co-opting tools of an
expoiltative system is ok. I guess it is a fine line to tread.

however, in this instance I think it would be good. in a way, u are using 
a
simple, earlier technology and it isn't meeting your needs. it captures 
and
imprisons your thoughts (when you don't have time to spend more time
liberating them).

in this area it turns out that the cheaper versions of the HP PDAs are 
best,
and the people buying the highend ons with cameras etc and getting sucked 
in
(so that is a bit everyday system).

with the low end ones you can buy a plug in camera for $130 AUS, plus memory
cards so you get the same as the really expensive ones for much less.

pros
a.. you could still do it in index card format if you wanted
b.. there would be no transcription time needed
c.. if you only wanted you could keep only one day's worth of info on the
pda
d.. you could have a plug in microphone that looked like a mobile phone
earpiece
e.. would manage to-do lists in the same was as the cards
f.. well you can draw and write on the pda anyway, if you wanted too
g.. you get a tool that could be part of other simplifying systems

it deals with a lot of your cons - you get the best of both worlds:
a.. no need to write
b.. get to do speech and have it turned into writing - and still have
catharsis when neccesary
c.. could even do handwriting and have someone look at it 40 years later,
like I just did with nabokov. there is so much wonderful info out there 
now
with the net.
some short term cons:
a.. training the voice recognition software (took a friend about a month
of regular use for him to train software and for software to train HIM :) 
)
b.. getting the pda set up to work in your preferred format

big con:
a.. would be if you didn't have a computer at home and weren't all that
computer literate
best wishes

jen







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